The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Over the Rainbow

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 10, 2026, is “Over the Rainbow.”

About Today

We are remembering the great Judy Garland, who was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, on June 10, 1922.

About This Song

“Over the Rainbow” was written in 1939 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Probably the most widely known of all Arlen’s and Harburg’s songs, “Over The Rainbow” is from the The Wizard Of Oz. Interestingly, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed down the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song.

“Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts. The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that “the song has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Over The Rainbow” on August 15, 1960, for Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. Glenn Osser wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Over the Rainbow” as well as Tony Bennett Sigs a String of Harold Arlen, is available on Apple Music.

We have two wonderful videos about today’s song.

You can the full segment of Harburg’s appearance on that program here.

And, to wrap up this look at “Over the Rainbow,” here’s Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz.

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Song of the Day: A Sleepin’ Bee

The song of the day for Thursday, June 4, 2026, is “A Sleepin’ Bee”.

About This Song

“A Sleepin’ Bee” was written by Harold Arlen and Truman Capote for the 1954 musical House of Flowers, based on the Truman Capote novella. In spite of its beautiful score, House of Flowers was not well-received, running for only 145 performances.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “A Sleepin’ Bee” live at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. A two-LP album, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, was released in August 1962, but excluded about half of the songs, including “A Sleepin’ Bee.” In 1997. A two-CD set was released in 1997, which restored the missing songs.

“A Sleepin’ Bee,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Thursday, May 28, 2026, is “.”

About This Song

“That Old Black Magic” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 film Star Spangled Rhythm. The song was popular from the start, with recordings by Glenn Miller and Judy Garland in 1942. The song has been used in films and television, including Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe, and Star Trek Voyager, where it was sung by Jeri Ryan, portraying Seven of Nine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Old Black Magic” live 63 years ago on August 28, 1962. Bennett, with the Ralph Sharon Trio, and the Dave Brubeck Quartet had both been invited by President John F. Kennedy to perform at a concert honoring that year’s group of summer interns. Originally, the concert was planned for the Rose Garden at the White House, but due to so much interest, it was moved to the Sylvan Theatre on the Mall, near the Washington Monument.

Brubeck with his quartet (Paul Desmond on alto sax, Eugene Wright on bass, Joe Morello on drums) opened the concert. Next was Tony Bennett and The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, Billy Exiner on drums) who performed. After Bennett’s set, Dave Brubeck and Tony Bennett did an unplanned improv set, joined by Eugene Wright and Joe Morello.

The concert was taped, but over time it had become lost in the vaults. They were discovered, misfiled in the Classical Music section, in December 2012, just a few weeks after Dave Brubeck’s death. Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962 was finally released 13 years ago; May 28, 2013.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett made a short video about the experience.

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Song of the Day: Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

The song of the day for Saturday, May 9, 2026, is “Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea”

About This Song

“Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1931 for the Cotton Club production RhythMania. It was recorded in the first few years by Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway. The Benny Goodman recording, with vocals by Helen Ward, is also well-regarded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” on September 4, 1964, for Who Can I Turn To. George Siravo wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” as well as Who Can I Turn To, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Louis Armstrong’s 1932 recording of today’s song:

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Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Thursday, April 30, 2026, is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1957 Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Yarburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations, and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “What Good Does It Do” live on June 9, 1962, at his legendary concert at Carnegie Hall. The album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall was released in August 1962. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.